Chapter 11: Narrow Alleyway 
Meriah settled into her gaming chair, the soft glow of the computer screen casting a warm light over her face as she prepared for another epic gaming session. She reached over to the nearby table, grabbing a bag of her favorite chips as a tasty snack to fuel her adventures.
As she tore open the bag with a satisfying crinkle, Meriah couldn't help but smile, the tantalizing scent of salty goodness wafting through the air. She popped a chip into her mouth, savoring the satisfying crunch as she settled in for a long night of gaming.
But just as she was about to dive into the virtual world before her, disaster struck. With a sudden jolt, Meriah accidentally knocked the bag of chips, sending its contents tumbling onto her keyboard in a crunchy cascade.
"Oh no," Meriah groaned, her heart sinking as she watched in horror as the chips scattered across her keyboard like a crunchy minefield. "Not again."
She reached for the bag, desperately trying to salvage what remained of her precious snack, but it was too late. The damage had been done, and her keyboard was now a mess of greasy crumbs and sticky residue.
Meriah sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping as she surveyed the damage.
"Well, that's just great," she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with frustration as she tried to wipe away the mess with a nearby napkin.
But no matter how hard she tried, the chips seemed to be everywhere—lodged between the keys, wedged into the cracks, and even smeared across the screen. Meriah could feel her frustration mounting with each passing moment, but try as she might, she couldn't help but burst into uncontrollable laughter at the absurdity of the situation.
"Looks like I'll be needing a new keyboard," she chuckled, her voice filled with mirth as she shook her head in disbelief. "And maybe a lesson in snack management."
As she continued to clean up the mess, Meriah couldn't help but marvel at the sheer absurdity of it all. Here she was, in the midst of an epic gaming session, surrounded by a mountain of chips and crumbs, and yet she couldn't stop laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the situation.
And as she wiped away the last of the crumbs from her keyboard, Meriah couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the simple joys of gaming—and the occasional snack mishap that came with it. For in that moment, surrounded by laughter and crumbs, Meriah knew that she wouldn't trade her gaming adventures for anything in the world.
The narrow alleyway was suffused with an eerie silence as Meriah and Francis found themselves backed into a corner, the masked killer blocking their only path to freedom. His menacing figure loomed over them, his eyes hidden behind the dark mask as he advanced slowly, a gleaming blade clutched tightly in his hand.
Meriah's heart pounded in her chest as she glanced around frantically, searching for any possible means of escape. But the alley was a dead end, with no way out except through the masked killer himself.
"We have to do something," Meriah whispered urgently to Francis, her voice barely above a whisper as she edged closer to him, her eyes darting nervously between him and their assailant.
Francis nodded grimly, his jaw set with determination as he prepared to make a stand.
"I'll try to distract him," he said quietly, his voice tinged with resolve. "You find a way out."
Meriah shook her head vehemently, her eyes wide with fear as she clutched Francis's arm.
"No, Francis, I won't leave you," she protested, her voice trembling with emotion. "We'll face him together."
But before Francis could respond, the masked killer lunged forward, his blade flashing in the dim light as he struck out at them with deadly precision. With lightning-fast reflexes, Francis deflected the blow, his own blade clashing against the masked killer's with a resounding clang.
As the two men fought, Meriah's heart raced with fear, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she watched the deadly dance unfolding before her. She knew that they were no match for the masked killer's strength and skill, but she refused to give up hope—not when Francis's life was on the line.
With every passing moment, the struggle grew more intense, the alleyway echoing with the sound of clashing steel and grunts of exertion. But despite their best efforts, Meriah could see that they were losing ground, the masked killer's relentless onslaught pushing them further and further back against the cold brick wall.
Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Francis spotted a glimmer of opportunity—a fire escape ladder leading up to the rooftops above. With a determined nod, he gestured for Meriah to follow him, his eyes blazing with determination as he made a break for the ladder.
"Come on, Meriah, this way!" Francis shouted, his voice ringing out in the silence as he scrambled up the rusted metal rungs, his muscles straining with effort as he climbed higher and higher.
Meriah didn't hesitate, her heart pounding in her chest as she followed Francis's lead, her fingers gripping the rungs tightly as she ascended the ladder with all the speed she could muster. With each passing moment, the masked killer drew closer, his footsteps echoing ominously in the narrow confines of the alley below.
But just as Meriah reached the top of the ladder, a sudden cry of pain echoed through the air, causing her to glance back in alarm. To her horror, she saw Francis struggling with the masked killer, their bodies locked in a fierce struggle as they fought for control.
Without a second thought, Meriah leapt into action, her heart pounding in her chest as she reached out to help Francis. With all her strength, she grabbed hold of the masked killer's arm, pulling him away from Francis with all the force she could muster.
"Go, Meriah, go!" Francis shouted, his voice filled with urgency as he pushed her towards the safety of the rooftop. "I'll hold him off!"
Meriah hesitated for only a moment, her heart torn between the desire to stay and fight and the need to ensure Francis's safety. But with one last glance back at her friend, she turned and ran, her feet pounding against the metal grating as she fled towards the safety of the rooftop above.
As she reached the top, Meriah glanced back one last time, her heart heavy with worry for Francis. But to her relief, she saw him still standing, his blade raised defiantly as he faced down the masked killer with unwavering courage.
With a final burst of speed, Meriah scrambled over the edge of the rooftop, collapsing to the ground with a weary sigh as she collapsed against the cold concrete. She knew that they were far from out of danger, but for now, they were safe—and that was all that mattered.
As she caught her breath, Meriah glanced back at the alley below, her heart swelling with pride as she watched Francis continue to fight with all the strength and determination he possessed. And in that moment, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united in their determination to see justice served and their enemy vanquished once and for all.